I love that my fellow book-loving friends put this book on my radar, and I really enjoyed this adorable story.

The main character stole my heart, and had me laughing. It was such an enjoyable read, and I loved reading and listening to the audio format.

*many thanks to PRH and PRH audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy

I love an author's debut novel, as I think there is something really special about every one of them. So needless to say, I was excited to read The Second Ending. I loved how lighthearted and fun, yet moving and deep that it turned out to be. It was a surprise, and that intrigued me and kept me wanting to read more. The problem I had was that it was really, really slow going in the beginning. Yes, the backstories are important, but there also comes a point when editing is absolutely necessary and some of it could have been left out. But I'm glad I kept pushing through, as all in all, it was a good story that I enjoyed.

I apologize for the delayed review! I loved this title and we still keep this stocked at our store! Great story of second chances!

On the surface, The Second Ending is about a piano competition where 2 pianists will vie to be the best. But while preparing for the contest they both find ways to become better people. There are some really funny parts along with some tear jerking moments. This story was a great reprieve from the outside world. And it made me want to buy myself a piano!

Very enjoyable novel about two child prodigy pianists and all the circumstances that made them who they are as adults. Lovely descriptions of music.

This was a complicated story with a lot of characters and twists. I did not enjoy it very much honestly. I was not hooked at the beginning and found it hard to keep going back to.

“The Second Ending” offers a unique blend of lighthearted humour and profound emotion. Prudence and Alexei both share a mastery of the piano, their journeys unfolding in parallel yet distinct ways. Prudence, a child prodigy, dazzled audiences at the tender age of eight, even performing at The White House. However, she chose to walk away during her teenage years, escaping the clutches of her domineering grandmother. On the other hand, Alexei’s path to musical prowess was forged through relentless determination, driven by his overbearing mother. His relentless pursuit of excellence left no room for friendships or a personal life.

Fast forward to the present, Prudence, now 48, finds herself an empty nester, while Alexei, at the young age of 22, hosts a surprisingly successful duelling piano TV show. Both grapple with personal challenges that could profoundly alter their lives. Their shared solution lies in a new competition where they must go head-to-head in a musical showdown.

The narrative skillfully employs multiple points of view, maintaining a brisk pace throughout. The book is a remarkable tale of second chances, seizing opportunities, and an unwavering love for music. The prose is eloquent, and the characters, shaped by their shared pasts of relentless ambition, are truly captivating.

Highly recommend it to people who love music.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book to be light, fun and very quirky. I liked the story of a former child piano prodigy competing against a much younger, famous piano player in a reality tv show. I found each main character interesting, but found some of the supporting, minor characters to be a bit silly and unnecessary. I really want to listen to some piano music after reading this book!

I had a feeling I would like this book. I did not realize how much I would actually love it! The main character is fabulous, I laughed out loud repeatedly, and then I immediately suggested to my sister that she get this book ASAP! It’s one of those enjoyable books that you can pick up and read again and again. There are so many twists, and turns, as the child prodigy, who is now a middle-aged woman, agrees to. A “iron chefs” style competition, but with pianos rather than cooking. The virtuoso Alexei is hysterical, Prudence is a joy, and her ex-husband Bobby is just smarmy enough to be funny. It’s a wild ride, and one you will be delighted you decided to take!

My thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced readers copy of this book. Please note my review is independent and my opinions are my own.

I have been reading this book for the last 10 days. I’m only about 40% of the way through and hardly anything has happened and I don’t care about any of the characters. I can’t force myself to finish. I’m sorry, but this book was just not for me.

What a good read! Prudence Childs was a child prodigy on the piano. Nearing 50, a regretful decision from her past has come back to haunt her and she is forced to go on a dueling piano show with a young gifted musician named Alexei Petrov. Kept me wondering to the end how things were going to work out.

So fun to find a new (to me) author. This was a different genre and I totally enjoyed it. Fresh writing and great characters kept me flipping pages long into the night.
Thank you NetGalley, Michelle Hoffman and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book was a quirky and funny story about a former piano prodigy. The format of the book was a delight and it was full of creative story telling. It felt pretty slow and uninteresting to me at times. I couldn’t connect with the main characters. Some of the secondary characters were hilarious and interesting but the full cast wasn’t developed enough for me to feel enough interest. It could have been great but it was often slow and anti-climatic. Great concept, some funny moments, just not all the way there.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts are my very own.

The Second Ending is the uplifting story of a former child prodigy who now faces an empty nest and a boring future. Like many, she feels that once the children have gone off to college, her usefulness is gone. But Prudence has an extraordinary talent. An unwanted gift shakes her out of her ennui and into a new adventure. Along the way, Prudence discovers that you are never too old to dream and never too old to shine.

Loved this book!! I don’t know anything about playing the piano but this really ignited a spark in me. Prudence was born with a gift, raised as a child prodigy she was always busy with schedules that were dictated to her. Later in life, nearing 50 she fell into darkness with regret & the inevitable death’s door looming over her. But she’d forgotten to live. With other stories intertwined with her own, you find that she’s not alone in this struggle. Many of us have had dreams shattered, thrown out, or buried deep. That doesn’t mean our story is over. It has been written but not yet finished. We can all get that second ending.

This book was great. This storyline is one very different from anything I have read before. It was funny, quirky, and a fast easy read. This book is perfect for anyone looking for a quick refresh between genres or series.

such a cute story, I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for this review copy.

I think dueling pianos are so much fun so when I heard about the summary of this book I was instantly sold!

Prudence was a child prodigy, but as she grew up she no longer felt the joy she once had so she ends up running away.

Now she is an adult with kids of her own and she gets the chance to compete on a TV show.

Also competing is Alexei Petrov who is what Prudence could have become.

This was such a sweet story about second endings and second chances. I loved it!

I do love women's fiction when the middle aged MC finds her way! I find it empowering. The story was super entertaining and full of good, quirky characters. I would like to see Prudence and Alexei at a dueling piano bar!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC

🎹 I’ll start off by saying that I read this book about 3 weeks ago and, as I sit down to write this review, I’m struggling to remember details about the story. This could be because I’ve read at least 10 books since this one, but it could also be because the book just didn’t have a strong impact on me.

🎹 I remember thinking that the female protag – Prudence – was an interesting and unique character. She was a child prodigy, but now, as a much older woman, her life seems to have little purpose. It was interesting to see how fleeting fame can be, despite whatever talents you may have.

🎹 The premise of the dueling pianos reality TV show was interesting.

🎹 There is an ex-husband/blackmail/crazy HOA President storyline that I felt muddled the story a lot. Honestly, I think I’d have preferred the story more if it had just been about Prudence and her transition from bored empty-nester former prodigy to having purpose again. I guess I wanted more women’s fiction and less intrigue.

🎹 The message to never give up on your dreams was prominent.

🎹 Overall, this book wasn’t a stellar read for me, but that doesn’t mean you won’t love it. It is currently averaging 4-stars on Goodreads so if the premise interests you, definitely read it.

Thank you @NetGalley and @randomhouse Ballantine for an eARC of this book, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.